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Half of Brits ‘self-medicate’ mental health

Nearly half (45%) of over 16s use coping mechanisms to “self-medicate” current mental health issues, a poll shows.

Six in 10 (60%) said they have done so in the past,
according to the survey by protection intermediary LifeSearch.

For one in five (21%) self-medication comes in the form
of drink, over the counter meds or illegal drugs, while others
use gambling, sex, food or spending to alleviate chronic mental health
symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia or even depression.

One in three (34%) self-medicate to get a sense of
control over their mental health, while one in five (21%) said they don’t have
anyone to talk to about their issues.

When it comes to talking about mental health in general,
one in eight (12%) don’t feel comfortable talking to anyone about it and
only two in five (42%) talk to their partner about it.

LifeSearch is urging people to confide in others about
these issues rather than trying to cope alone as part of
its Let’s Start Talking campaign.

The research also suggests seemingly healthy behaviours
can be taken to extremes in the name of self-medication. While 38% use
exercise to help maintain their mental wellbeing, one in 10 (11%) exercise to
excess.

In women, three in 10 (30%) currently use over
or under eating to cope with mental health issues, making it the most common
form of self-medication.

Half of people (48%) who rely on
self-medication said the behaviour has become a problem.

Emma Walker from LifeSearch said using a coping
mechanism like alcohol or drugs seems like the easy way out, however it doesn’t
solve the issue at hand.